Kenya
Higher education
Helping two students in Kenya achieve post-secondary education
Education & Training
The Need
In Ngaamba, a small hillside community in Kenya, Kitili and Ndanu grew up dreaming of a future free from poverty. After being registered with Compassion’s sponsorship program, that once-distant dream inched toward becoming reality, thanks to the care and mentorship of staff from their local church.
For Kitili and Ndanu, whose families can’t support them, getting a college or university education was their only hope of securing a better future. After years of discipline and hard work, they were so excited to be accepted to the school of their choice! Kitili, a bright young man who has been living with his brother and grandmother since the death of his mother, qualified for a three-year diploma course in electrical engineering at Wote Technical College. Ndanu, whose mother suffers from a debilitating mental illness, was able to enroll at Egerton University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology.
Both these students rely on the local church and well-wishers to support even their basic needs. The church had been supporting Kitili and Ndanu with secondary school fees and learning materials. However, rising costs in the education budget meant that the church could not fully cover the post-secondary fees for both students. In order to see Mutula and Ndanu successfully complete their education, get good jobs and lift their families out of poverty, the church needed help.
Our Response
Your financial support has been helping cover Kitili and Ndanu’s university and college fees, accommodations, transportation to and from school each semester, exam fees, tools such as calculators, personal items, research work and basic necessities including meals. You also helped provide a much-needed laptop for Kitili, so he could conduct his final research project.
With the support and encouragement of pastors and mentors who visited with them regularly, Kitili and Ndanu have excelled in their studies and have consistently demonstrated strong character. When their schools closed temporarily due to the pandemic, both students continued to study diligently at home, actively learn new skills and volunteer at their Compassion centre. They have become amazing role models for the younger children in their community, which has been encouraging for the whole church.
Your generous support, along with the care of their church community, has truly made all the difference for Kitili and Ndanu. We are pleased to report that both students have successfully completed their respective programs and will officially graduate very soon! Ndanu completed her final year of study at Egerton University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology. She is currently completing an internship at Njoro Canning Factory Limited and will officially graduate in July 2022. Kitili has finished his course work and earned an Electrical Engineering Diploma from Wote Technical College. He is currently taking small jobs providing electrical wiring in homes and shops. In Kenya, the government determines graduation dates for technical colleges; Kitili’s graduation date should be announced soon.
Activities
Life skills: Kitili attended a skills training course in farming at the Compassion centre and has already started growing his own produce at home. He has also enjoyed taking other courses, such as computer training and driving lessons.
Entrepreneurship: Kitili is using the electrical tool set the Compassion centre gave him to start his own electrical installation business in the community. He also provides electrical maintenance at the church as needed.
Exams: Ndanu was excited to complete her final exams! This was a big milestone, marking the end of several years of hard work.
Internship: Ndanu is completing an internship with Njoro Canning Factory. She is enjoying meeting new people and learning how to practically apply the skills she learned in class.
Your Gift Provides...
Your financial support helped Ndanu and Kitili attend higher education and covered the following:
• College/University tuition fees
• Personal items
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Transportation
• Learning materials (eg, laptop Kitili)
ReportA message from those your gift helped
I had just completed my secondary school education and wanted to pursue a diploma in electrical engineering. Having lost my mother while in high school, I had little hope of ever achieving my dream. I decided to take a step of faith and shared my predicament with the centre director. She advised me to keep my hopes high and pray that God gives me a way out. I was glad when I received a report that I had gotten a scholarship for my three-year diploma course.
I was able to enroll for an electrical engineering diploma course at Wote Technical Training Institute (TTI). My three-year study period was easy, because all fees were paid as well as other college requirements. I was able to concentrate on my studies and I have successfully completed the course.
Now, I will be able to support my brother and myself and cover our basic needs. I am assured of a better future since I have skills to earn me an income both through formal or self-employment. I have learned that when you trust in God and work hard, He will make a way for you.
I greatly appreciate the donors who committed the resources to ensure I could complete my education. I thank God for the prayers of the donors and the church, as they gave me strength to soldier on. I cannot forget to thank the centre staff, who encouraged me during challenging times. May God bless them in all their endeavours.
ReportThank you for your generosity
Your support made it possible for Ndanu and Kitili to enroll in higher education and complete their studies, providing for their tuition fees, accommodations, school requirements, transportation costs and basic needs like meals.
Your kindness has made a deep impression on both students, who have grown in character and maturity. Eager to give back to the community, Ndanu is participating in a mentorship program at a nearby primary school while she finishes her internship. Kitili has started his own small business offering electrical wiring and installation services in the community and continues to provide electrical repairs at the church where needed. A true entrepreneur who seizes every opportunity to grow and learn, Kitili is also running a small business selling second-hand clothes, as well as attending skills training courses at the church whenever he has time.
Watching Kitili and Ndanu persevere through many obstacles to reach their goals has been so encouraging for other children and youth at the Compassion centre, inspiring them to work hard and stay committed to their studies. Thanks to your support, the church was able to save some of the funds they had initially set aside for Kitili and Ndanu. Now they can use those funds to support other promising students, equipping them to break free from poverty, too. Your gift will continue to have a ripple effect, as other young men and women follow Kitili and Ndanu’s example.
Thanks to you, now graduated from the Compassion sponsorship program, Ndanu and Kitili will be able to get good jobs and earn a living. As they establish their careers, they will be able to free their families from poverty and make a lasting difference in their community. Their story is already impacting others around them, shining a light of hope for the future. Thank you for helping these students realize their dreams, which will inspire others to do the same!
ReportA message from a centre director
Kitili and Ndanu completed their high school studies and started college and university studies respectively in 2018. It was a challenge for us as a church to sustain them in the learning institutions, as the budget only covered part of their tuition fees. This intervention was a breakthrough for these students, who were able to stay in college and complete their studies without having to cover the fees and upkeep costs and challenges. This impacted their performance positively. Their self-esteem improved and their performance was above average. They began to mentor other youth and participated in program activities without fail.
The intervention made it easy for us to continue supporting these students in other areas of their development. We were able to provide the support needed in good time, thus helping them concentrate in college. Kitili is currently involved in electrical installation in homes within the community, and this is very encouraging.
This intervention enabled me to encourage other students to give their best in their areas of study. I have used it as an example to instill hope in the lives of other program participants.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the financial support granted to Kitili and Ndanu during their studies. I pray that God grants you blessings in all your endeavours.